Two piece view port and light housing

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a view port suitable for installation under the water line of a vessel wherein the view port comprises a flange made from a corrosion resistant material and a body made from a heat resistant material. An alternative embodiment of the invention is an underwater light in which a high intensity light and ballast is completely installed into the above mentioned view port.

This application claims priority to provisional patent application No.60/715,625 filed on Sep. 9, 2005 and to provisional patent applicationNo. 60/781,678 filed on Mar. 13, 2006, the contents of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Underwater view ports have been used on ships, boats or other watercraftfor decorative and safety purposes as well as to aid exploration of thesurrounding water. Similarly lighting has been applied to these samewatercraft to improve visibility during the dark hours or during periodsof overcast or cloudy conditions. Lights have been applied so as toilluminate the sides of the watercraft in order to better visualize thewatercraft from a distance, to further enhance the appearance of thewatercraft, and to illuminate the surrounding water area. Lights havebeen mounted in various locations on the deck or hull of the watercraftto accomplish this purpose.

Conventional view ports use a frame to mount a substantially transparentwindow to the hull. Smaller view ports have used a single piece throughhull having a mechanically or chemically fastened window inside thethru-hull fitting.

Thru-hull mounted lights are often in the form of light strips composedof a string of high intensity light bulbs contained within a housing ora plurality of individual lights within a housing applied externallyalong the perimeter of the hull and oriented to shine downwards alongthe hull. Various applications of the housings and light shields areused to redirect the light rays from the light source downward along thesurface of the hull (including the ability to adjust the housings inorder to project beams along a desired path). Although suchconfigurations provide substantial illumination of the hull sides, theyare not waterproof or watertight and therefore are placed substantiallyhigher than the waterline. Therefore, little to no illumination of thesurrounding water area is provided as the light intensity fadesconsiderably from the light source as it reaches the waterline.Furthermore, because the light rays are directed downward along thesurface of the hull, illumination is restricted primarily to the line ofthe watercraft and therefore does not deviate outward into thesurrounding water and may be easily obstructed by other accessoriesattached to the hull of the watercraft that are closer to the waterline.Also, lights mounted on the exterior of the boat often requirereplacement and repair from outside the boat rather than from the insideof the boat which usually is fairly cumbersome.

In order to better project the light onto the surface of the water froma light source placed above the waterline, the lights have been extendedoutward such that they are spaced away from the hull surface. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,149 discloses a utility light apparatusthat is mounted on a gunwale of a boat by applying the light to thedistal end of a conventional fishing rod holder such that the lightextends out over the side of the boat in an arm-like fashion. Therefore,the extended light pathway illuminates more of the water's surface andis less likely to be obstructed by other appurtenances placed on theside of the boat. However, unless the height of the boat is relativelyshallow, the depth to which the light penetrates the water is still verylimited by the light intensity as the light source is placed well abovethe waterline at the gunwale of the boat. Thus, the conventional hull ordeck mounted lights do not provide sufficient lighting for visualizingharmful objects within the path of the watercraft or exploring the wateraround and below the watercraft. Furthermore, lights extending outwardfrom the surface of the boat are easily damaged in comparison to lightswhich are integrated into the surface area of the boat such that theyare only slightly protruding or not protruding at all.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,623 discloses a similar light to the presentinvention but does not utilize the two piece design and requires the useof expensive sapphire glass for adequate dispersion of heat.Additionally, the device in U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,623 requires the use ofa thermostatic shutoff switch to prevent overheating.

More recently, lights have been integrated into the hull surface area ofa watercraft by placing them into the thru-hull fittings of the hullthereby providing a watertight lighting apparatus which may bepositioned below the waterline in order to provide a significantlyimproved visualization of the surrounding water area and to enhance theaesthetics of the boat. Also, by placing the light assembly inside athru-hull, replacement or repair can be done from the inside of the boatwhere access is normally much simpler than outside the boat. Typically,a light bulb or lamp supporting means is placed inside the thru-hullfrom inside the boat and a secured lens is placed between the lamp andthe exterior opening of the thru-hull such that the light passes throughthe lens and into the water. The light bulb supporting means issurrounded by a housing that is either cylindrical for secure fitagainst the sides of the thru-hull or is a conical, tapered piece whichnarrows towards the interior of the boat. A flange placed flush againstthe outside surface of the thru-hull and one or a series of O-rings orwatertight sealants or adhesives are used to provide a watertight sealbetween the lens and the exterior opening of the thru-hull. The exteriorflange is usually cast as one piece with a housing which penetrates thehull. The single casting then requires considerable machining to allowfor placement of lenses and accessories which make use of the view port.Alternative constructs include manufacture of the housing and flange intwo pieces which are then welded together. Welded configurations havethe drawback in that if identical materials are not used, welding isdifficult and the integrity of the weld may be suspect when used in anunderwater environment where failure could be catastrophic. Furthermore,the use of discrete components in assembling the view port allows forreplacement of individual parts in the event of a defect instead ofreplacement of an entire welded assembly.

The flange may be formed with the light housing as one piece or may beseparate from the housing such that it is removably attached to the sideof the hull by screws that are screwed into holes bored into the hullsurface or snapped.

Also, it is desirable to form the light housing and flange of twodifferent types of metals in order to obtain the highest heatdissipating light housing on the interior of the hull and the mostanti-corrosive flange on the exterior of the hull where the assemblycomes into contact with the water. A one-piece configuration limits theentire assembly to one type of metal. Even where the flange and lighthousing are welded together, there are many metals which cannot bewelded tightly to one another. Where the flange must be attached to thehull by screws, several screw-holes must be bored into the hull therebydamaging the hull surface and providing additional inlets where watermoisture may create damage. Where the flange is snapped into place, itis difficult to obtain a substantially watertight seal between theflange, lens and the exterior opening of the thru-hull.

It is an object of this invention to provide a two-piece thru-hull lightin which the flange and light housing are two separate pieces such thatnumerous combinations of metals may be used for their construction inorder to provide a highly efficient assembly. Furthermore, the flangehas a threaded surface which is screwed into the exterior surface of acylindrical light housing thereby not damaging the hull surface andproviding a substantially watertight seal.

It is also an object of this invention to secure the lighting apparatusto the hull in such a way that the hull is not damaged. The flange iscomprised of a flanged mushroom-head shaped portion that is placed flushagainst the exterior surface of the hull opening. On the interior sideof the hull opening, a compression ring surrounding the exterior surfaceof the light housing is compressed against the hull's interior surfaceby a threaded locking ring thereby securing the hull between the flangeand compression ring. The locking ring compresses the compression ringagainst the hull by way of several screws whose ends abut the surface ofthe compression ring. It is also an object of this invention that thecylindrical light housing may be adjustable so as to adapt to slightangle variations of the thru-hull sides with respect to the actualthru-hull opening on the exterior surface of the hull. Many thru-hullconfigurations use a ball and socket type of joint in order to allow thelight housing angle to be adjusted. In the present invention, the screwswhich are threaded through the locking ring that serve to secure thecompression ring against the interior surface of the hull may bethreaded individually at different heights thereby tilting thecompression ring at various angles in order to accommodate the thru-hullshape.

It is also an object of this invention that the assembly may bealternatively used to house a camera rather than a light. Many thru-hulllight configurations use a concave lens to diverge the light rays forgreater light dispersion through the water. However, such a lens woulddistort a camera view and therefore a flat lens is utilized in thepresent invention.

It is also an object of this invention that the assembly mayalternatively house an integral ballast assembly such that a highintensity discharge (HID) lamp may be used as the light source withoutcompromising the necessary ballast assembly to moisture outside thewatertight assembly. The use of an HID lamp is preferable overincandescent or fluorescent lamps as HID lamps are more energyefficient, longer lasting, and provide a greater area of illuminationdespite its smaller size.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a view port housing having a lamp.

FIG. 2 a and 2 b are oblique views of a view port showing an internalwater tight end cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a two-piece thru-hull view port assemblyconstructed to have a watertight fit in the hull or deck of a vessel.Uses for the view port assembly include, but are not limited to, viewingusing the eye, as a housing for lights or as a camera housing for stillor video cameras. The view port assembly can be used to provide aviewing window. Referring to FIG. 1, a flange 2 having an inner andouter face is used as the exterior mounting to the vessel. Asubstantially transparent lens 10 having a top and a bottom surface isremovably mounted on the inner surface of the flange 2 and provides thewindow for viewing.

Lens 10 is in the shape of a disc with ground edges and is preferablycomposed of heat and pressure resistant borosilicate. As will beappreciated by one of skill in the art, any substantially transparentmaterial that is resistant to high temperature and high pressure and isresistant to erosion and chemicals can be used. Suitable materialsinclude chemically hardened or tempered and impact resistant materialssuch as quartz glass, tempered (Pyrex), borosilicate, or sapphirecrystal may also be used. The glass disc is retained in place by glassretaining ring 3 and front flange 2 which is connected to thecircumference of the glass retaining ring via cap screws 20. Theinterior surface of ring 3 is tapered such that the proximal end is ofnarrower diameter than the distal end. The hollow interior of themushroom-head shaped portion of the front flange is tapered inward suchthat the proximal end is of wider diameter than the distal end and thedistal end is of narrower diameter than the threaded portion of thefront flange. The diameter of the distal end of the mushroom-head shapedportion of the front flange is equal to the diameter of the proximal endof the glass retaining ring thereby forming a retaining groove forcapturing the glass disc between the mushroom-head shaped portion of thefront flange and the glass retaining ring. Glass gaskets 11 are placedon both sides of the glass disc for a watertight seal between the discand the front flange and the disc and glass retaining ring. Gaskets 11are preferably 1/16″ thick and composed of compressed Aramid/Buna-Nsheet gasket material. The inner surface of flange 2 contains aplurality of threaded screw holes 35 to which a glass retaining ring 3having a circumferential body defining a lens opening 30 is affixedusing bolts 20 threaded into screw holes 35. Glass gaskets 11 are usedon either side of the lens to provide a watertight seal. Main body 1 ofthe assembly is a hollow cylinder with a proximal end having internalthreads 26 and a distal end having external threads 27 which is attachedto the external threads 28 of the flange 2 by means of the internalthreads 26. A polymer o-ring 15 or other suitable sealing means such assilicone, polyether, polyurethane or other sealants acceptable for usebelow the waterline are used for forming a watertight seal between theflange 2 and main body 1.

The assembly is secured to the inside of the vessel hull using a lockingring 7 having internal threads 36 which are sized to screw down on theexternal threads 27 of the main body 1. Locking ring 7 pulls flange 2into position against the outside of the vessel hull. Optionally, inorder to adapt the entire lighting assembly to slight angular variationsin hull shapes, a compression ring 6 in combination with locking ring 7is provided along the exterior mid-portion of main body 1. Although themushroom-head shaped portion of front flange 2 must stay flush againstthe side of the boat at the hull opening, the compression ring andlocking ring may be adjusted such that the main body of the assembly maytilt slightly in order to accommodate angle variations in the hull. Thecompression ring is preferably composed of aluminum and has a smoothinterior and exterior surface. The compression ring surrounds theexterior of the mid-portion of the main body and acts as a washerseparating the main body from the walls of the hull. The corners of thecompression ring are beveled so as to provide smooth contact with thewalls of the hull. At the distal side of the compression ring, lockingring 7 is screwed onto the mid-portion of the main body via its threadedinterior surface. The locking ring is also preferably composed ofaluminum. Along the circumference of the locking ring are six cap screws21 whose bodies extend past the locking ring and abut the distal side ofthe compression ring. Thus, in order to vary the angle at which thecompression ring aligns the assembly with the walls of the hull, each ofscrews 21 may be individually threaded in the bores of the locking ringat different heights so as to change the angle of the abuttingcompression ring.

The advantage of using a two piece thru hull to define a view port isthat the individual components can be manufactured from the mostpreferred materials for the environment and/or application. Certainmaterial choices for the present invention require the use of metalshaving sufficient structural strength and corrosion resistance tomaintain a water tight seal below the waterline. Materials used insidethe hull must have sufficient mechanical strength for secure fasteningto the flange and should have appropriate heat transfer properties tominimize heat buildup in the view port. Table 1 is a list of thegalvanic potential of various common metals starting with magnesiumwhich is the most reactive and ending with platinum which is the leastreactive. TABLE 1 Galvanic Properties Most Reactive Least ReactiveMAGNESIUM COPPER (CA102) MAGNESIUM ALLOYS MANGANESE BRONZE (CA 675),ZINC TIN BRONZE (CA903, 905) ALUMINUM 5052, 3004, SILICON BRONZE 3003,1100, 6053 NICKEL SILVER CADMIUM COPPER - NICKEL ALLOY ALUMINUM 2117,2017, 90-10 2024 COPPER - NICKEL ALLOY MILD STEEL (1018), 80-20 WROUGHTIRON 430 STAINLESS STEEL CAST IRON, LOW ALLOY NICKEL, ALUMINUM, HIGHSTRENGTH STEEL BRONZE (CA 630, 632) CHROME IRON (ACTIVE) MONEL 400, K500STAINLESS STEEL, 430 SILVER SOLDER SERIES (ACTIVE) NICKEL (PASSIVE) 302,303, 304, 321, 60NI—15CR (PASSIVE) 347, 410, 416, INCONEL 600 (PASSIVE)STAINLESS STEEL 80NI—20CR (PASSIVE) (ACTIVE) CHROME IRON (PASSIVE) NI -RESIST 302, 303, 304, 321, 347, 316, 317, STAINLESS STAINLESS STEEL(PASSIVE) STEEL (ACTIVE) 316, 317, STAINLESS STEEL CARPENTER 20 CB-3(PASSIVE) STAINLESS (ACTIVE) CARPENTER 20 CB-3 ALUMINUM BRONZE STAINLESS(PASSIVE), (CA 687) INCOLOY 825 HASTELLOY C (ACTIVE) NICKEL -MOLYBDEUM - INCONEL 625 (ACTIVE) CHROMIUM - IRON ALLOY TITANIUM (ACTIVE)(PASSIVE) LEAD - TIN SOLDERS SILVER LEAD TITANIUM (PASS.) TIN HASTELLOYC & C276 INCONEL 600 (ACTIVE) (PASSIVE), INCONEL NICKEL (ACTIVE)625(PASS.) 60NI—15CR (ACTIVE) GRAPHITE 80NI—20CR (ACTIVE) ZIRCONIUMHASTELLOY B (ACTIVE) GOLD BRASSES PLATINUM

It is preferred to use materials from the least reactive materials inTable 1 that have the appropriate mechanical properties for theapplication. Standard marine fittings are generally made of bronze or316 or 317 stainless steel for both their strength and corrosionresistance when used below the waterline. While these materials offerexcellent corrosion resistance, they do not dissipate heat well. Assuch, they are less preferred for use in applications where heat may begenerated such as in a light or camera housing. When the assembly willhold a heat emitting device, it is preferred that the body of theassembly be made from materials capable of rapidly dispersing the heatsuch as aluminum or copper. Most grades of aluminum however create agalvanic cell and corrode rapidly when immersed in an aqueousenvironment in the presence of any other metals. In the marineenvironment other metals are always present in the form of standardbronze through hull plumbing fittings, bronze and stainless propellers,rudder hardware, etc. Furthermore, saltwater is an excellent electrolyteand fosters the creation of galvanic currents. As such, aluminum is apoor choice for any external use on any vessel hull and in no instanceshould aluminum be directly welded or affixed to steel hull vessels.While plastics do not corrode and have been used in through hulldevices, they lack sufficient strength and durability for use in belowthe waterline applications. They are also cosmetically unappealing incomparison to highly polished metals.

The present invention allows for the use of corrosion resistantmaterials on the wet outside of the vessel hull and the use of heatdissipating materials on the dry inside of the vessel hull. For example,the flange can be made of a corrosion resistant metal such as bronze,stainless steel, or titanium. The body is preferably made of a strongheat dissipating metal such as aluminum, titanium or brass or alloysthereof.

In one embodiment of the view port, the flange 2 can be directly weldedto the vessel hull. When welded, there is no need to bed the flange tothe hull to reduce leaks and the internal locking and compression ringsare eliminated.

When used with a light or camera, a reflector housing 4 is slip fit oroptionally threaded into the inside of the main body. While primarywater resistance is provided by the flange 2 and the o-ring 15,secondary water resistance can be provided by use of a threaded capwhich is screwed onto the distal end of the main body. This cap may be asingle piece or preferably two pieces comprising a threaded connectingring 8 and a lid 9. The cap may be made out of any suitable metal orpolymer material although marine grades of aluminum are most preferreddue to their corrosion resistance and strength when used inside thevessel and their ability to rapidly dissipate heat compared to othermaterials having suitable mechanical properties. Connecting ring o-ringsor gaskets 12 and lid o-rings or gaskets 14 are used to maintain a watertight seal between the connecting ring and the main body and the lid andthe connecting ring. When used it is most preferred that the lid 9 issecured to the distal end of the connector ring 8 via a plurality ofscrews 24 in combination with locknuts 25 placed around the lid'scircumference as shown in FIG. 2 b. The external surface of the cap orconnector ring may be shaped for use with tools or contain ridges orother means to improve a hand grip when screwing or unscrewing theconnector ring or cap from the main body. The connector ring and cap canalso assume any design which does not interfere with its mechanicalfunction. Such designs include aesthetically pleasing designs anddesigns to improve the heat dissipation of the cap or connector ring.Heat dissipation may be improved by the inclusion of a plurality ofcooling fins, ridges or other means to increase the surface area forheat dissipation or to facilitate additional air flow around or throughportions of the cap, connector ring or lid.

When used with a wired device such as a lamp or camera, the lid containsa cable strain relief structure 19 for coupling to a cable thatoriginates from inside the boat and provides power to and/or a signalfrom the device mounted inside the view port assembly. Signalstransmitted include still or video images, infrared or other sensorscapable of receiving data through a view port. Porcelain terminal blocks18 serve to electrically and mechanically connect the lamp socket 16,camera or sensor structure to the lid via cap screws 22. The lamp socketmay be elongated as necessary to place the lamp in the optimal locationwithin the reflector housing for light and heat dissipation oralternatively the socket can be position using spacers between thesocket and the lid. Also, non conducting standoff bodies may be placedbetween the terminal block and projector lid so as to change theplacement of the terminal block with respect to the projector lid whenneeded. The lamp socket contains a lamp 17 which may be of one ofseveral types including halide, halogen or xenon gas.

For lamp or camera replacement, the connector ring 8 is accessed frominside the hull and is unscrewed such that the connector ring and lidassembly, which is connected to the lamp or camera, may be removed inthe distal direction. The remaining components of the lighting assemblyremain in the thru-hull thereby leaving a sealed viewing hole in placeduring repair.

When used as a lamp, a reflector tube 4 is mounted inside and adjacentto the hollow interior of the main body and adjacent to the interiorsurface of the main body. The reflector tube 4 houses lamp 17 andsupports a reflector 5 at its proximal end. The reflector tube ispreferably composed of a heat dissipating material such as aluminum andis shaped such that the distal end of the reflector tube is affixedbetween the distal end of the main body and the connector ring and theproximal end is secured between the proximal end of the reflector tubeand a glass retaining ring 3. While any suitable mechanical means isacceptable, the use of a lip on the proximal and distal end of thereflector housing is most preferred.

A watertight connection within the reflector housing is maintained bygasket 12 between the lip of the reflector tube and connecting ring. Anyheat and water resistant gasket material such as Aramid/Buna-N sheetgasket material can be used for the gasket. A resilient polymer o-ring13, preferably composed of nitrile rubber, lies between the distal endsof the reflector tube and main body so as to ensure a watertight sealbetween the reflector tube and adjacent components. Reflector 5 has aparabolic curved surface which protrudes rearward into the hollowinterior of the assembly towards the distal end. Lamp 17 extends throughthe circular aperture at the center of the parabolic surface such thatthe reflector serves to provide maximum light projection and brightnessfrom lamp 17.

A 12v, 50 watt metal halide light having an integrated ballast wasinstalled in a light housing having a reflector and body made fromaluminum and a bronze head. The light assembly was installed in a testtank and run to simulate average night usage. The initial test tanktemperature was 21 degrees C., room temperature was 20 degrees C.,relative humidity was 40%. The results are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2Time Reflector T Ballast T Body T 11:46 am 28 27 24 1:35 pm 52 60 452:10 pm 57 72 51 3:10 pm 58 72 53 4:15 pm 60 72 54 5:05 pm 62 72 56

The test of Table 2 was conducted with similar lights without anintegrated ballast to show the effects of housing material on heataccummulation. Table 3 below was conducted under substantially the sameconditions as the test in Table 2. The same type of high intensitydischarge bulb was used. TABLE 3 Aluminum Bronze Stainless Steel TimeBody Cap Body Cap Body Cap 12:15 pm  24c 23c 24c 23c 24c  23c 1:10 pm49c 50c 39c 67c 59c 100c 2:15 pm 52c 53c 41c 73c 64c 110c 3:05 pm 53c53c 40c 74c 65c 110c 4:30 pm 49c 47c 40c 62c 60c  96c

Table 3 shows that stainless steel is an unacceptable housing materialfor a device having an integrated light and ballast as it would allowthe ballast to reach in excess of 80 degrees C., the maximum heat ratingfor the ballast, at the cap. Similarly, bronze is only marginallyacceptable because it reaches temperatures close to the maximum heatrating for the ballast and may in warmer water or temperatures lead tooverheating of the ballast.

As is apparent to one of skill in the art that various details of thepresent invention can be modified without deviating from the spirit ofthe invention. The use of alternative materials such as metals,sealants, polymers and transparent glasses and polymers is bothcontemplated and expected as improvements are made in the relevant art.

1. A thru-hull housing comprising: an annular external flange having anannular opening, a cylindrical, hollow main body removably attached tothe external flange; a lens sized to fit the annular opening of theexternal flange, a means for securing the lens to the external flange, ameans for providing a watertight seal on both sides of said lens; and ameans for securing the housing to a vessel.
 2. The thru-hull assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the means for securing the housing is selected frombonding, welding or mechanical fastening.
 3. The thru-hull assembly ofclaim 2 wherein the mechanical fastening means is a locking ring.
 4. Thethru-hull assembly of claim 3 wherein the locking ring is used with acompression ring.
 5. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the meansfor securing the lens to the external flange is selected from bonding ormechanical fastening.
 6. The thru-hull assembly of claim 5 wherein themechanical means for securing the lens to the external flange is a glassretaining ring.
 7. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 where the means forproviding a water tight seal is selected from sealants, o-rings, gasketsor mechanical seals.
 8. The thru-hull assembly of claim 7 where themeans for providing a water tight seal is a gasket.
 9. The thru-hullassembly of claim 1 further comprising a cap threaded onto the distalend.
 10. The thru-hull assembly of claim 9 further comprising a sourceof light.
 11. The thru-hull assembly of claim 10 wherein the light isselected from halogen and metal halide.
 12. The thru-hull assembly ofclaim 9 further comprising a camera.
 13. The thru-hull assembly of claim1 wherein the flange and the housing are comprised of two differentmetals.
 14. The thru-hull assembly of claim 13 wherein the flange isselected of a highly corrosion resistant material.
 15. The thru-hullassembly of claim 13 wherein the housing is comprised of a heatdissipating metal.
 16. A thru-hull light comprising: an annular externalflange having an annular opening, a cylindrical, hollow main bodyremovably attached to the external flange; a light housing removablyattached to the main body, a lens sized to fit the annular opening ofthe external flange, a means for securing the lens to the externalflange, a means for providing a watertight seal on both sides of saidlens disc; and a means for securing the housing to a vessel.
 17. Thethru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the means for securing the housingis selected from bonding, welding or mechanical fastening.
 18. Thethru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the mechanical fastening means is alocking ring.
 19. The thru-hull light of claim 18 wherein the lockingring is used with a compression ring.
 20. The thru-hull light of claim16 wherein the means for securing the lens to the external flange isselected from bonding or mechanical fastening.
 21. The thru-hull lightof claim 20 wherein the mechanical means for securing the lens to theexternal flange is a glass retaining ring.
 22. The thru-hull light ofclaim 16 where the means for providing a water tight seal is selectedfrom sealants, o-rings, gaskets or mechanical seals.
 23. The thru-hulllight of claim 22 where the means for providing a water tight seal is agasket.
 24. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the lamp is selectedfrom halogen or metal halide.
 25. The thru-hull light of claim 16further comprising a camera.
 26. The thru-hull light of claim 16 whereinthe flange and the housing are comprised of two different metals. 27.The thru-hull light of claim 26 wherein the flange is selected of ahighly corrosion resistant material.
 28. The thru-hull light of claim 26wherein the flange is selected from stainless steel, bronze or titanium.29. The thru-hull light of claim 26 wherein the housing is comprised ofa heat dissipating metal.
 30. The thru-hull light of claim 26 whereinthe housing is comprised of aluminum, titanium or brass.